As the All Blacks head into what is being called a ‘new era’ following the departure of some famous and respected names, Kieran Read is seen as the type of captain that will lead from the front by playing well and should easily deal with the various bumps along the road. That includes ignoring talk before the first test that usually takes focus off the task. Concentrate, look at the basics first and for the 23-man team announced today, it all begins with the opening match against Wales on Saturday night in Auckland.
The opening test of the International Season has traditionally been very ‘scrappy’ in terms of the on-field performance by the World Champions. Head coach Steve Hansen believes that having an extra week with the team before the opening test match has been essential to provide all new information to players, especially those new to the group. “This time we have been able to have them for a couple of weeks to get our systems going without interference, but we will be better for this weekends game no matter what happens”, Hansen said.
The All Blacks are the only team to win the Rugby World Cup back-to-back, and two of their legendary players, Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter, are considered to be two of the finest players in the history of the game; in their position . Add in that in 2013, Hansen and his men went undefeated over a full calendar year–unprecedented–and haven’t lost at Eden Park since 1994. Yes, over 22-years, so rugby fans have every reason to be expectant that their men in black might run riot over Wales on Saturday night.
The last time the All Blacks and Wales played each other, the visitors ran out fortunate winners 34-16, in a highly competitive clash in Cardiff.
If nothing else, the Welsh have terrific passion and take a lot of pride in their national sport, but there is also no doubting that their preparation for this tour to New Zealand has been far more encouraging than ever before. Kiwi-born Welsh coach Warren Gatland and his men have been in the country for nearly two weeks now and significantly, the Welsh midfield combination has more experience as a combination than the All Blacks pairing of Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa. Despite this experience advantage, the All Blacks squad that was announced today wasn’t a surprise to anybody really, with Hansen elaborating on his choise of experience rather than youth.
“Most of the pundits could have picked the team themselves but the key will be the likes of Fekitoa and Crotty reading the opposition defense because this 2016 will get asked some questions there”. Hansen, who himself is a former coach of Wales, says that the Welsh have tremendous respect for the All Blacks as a superpower of World Rugby. “They see us as the team they want to beat and there has been a lot written about how long it’s been since they beat us, but this is a really good Welsh side and if we don’t turn up and play well this weekend, they will beat us” he concluded.
Facts to Think About:
- Aaron Cruden will play his first test for the All Blacks in 19-months, his last outing was against England in London during the 2014 Autumn Series.
- Wales haven’t beaten the All Blacks since the year 1953 and have never won in New Zealand.
- The All Blacks haven’t lost a Test Match at Eden Park since 1994, a whole 22-years ago.
- All Blacks utility Ben Smith currently sits on 95 Test points, and is just a single try away from bringing up a century.
One man who has been talked about a lot in the buildup to the International Season has been Chiefs flanker Sam Cane, and as he says he knows ‘all too well’ will take over the same position as the legendary McCaw, some say the most decorated and successful loose forward of all time. Contrary to recent media reports, the 24-year old is not under pressure to keep his spot in the side, especially not according to Hansen.
Also keen to put the talk of filling into the shadow to one side is first-five Aaron Cruden who will make his first start in an All Blacks jersey since 2014. Cruden missed the entire International season in 2015 after suffering a major knee injury while playing Super Rugby. A big reason why the 27-year old was selected to start in the First Test was due to his proven ability in the role, but also a favourable tendency for fellow first-five and fullback option Beauden Barrett whom the coaches believe has a better impact coming off the bench.
“We like the way Aaron runs a team, but we also like what Beauden does for us off the bench, and he has had massive impact on games when he comes off the bench”, Hansen said. After finding out he would be starting in his first Test Match since 2014, Cruden is eager to block out all the talk of stepping into the shadow on Daniel Carter and be his own man, “I am not trying to fill his boots but simply I am just trying to be Aaron Cruden and make the most of the opportunity this weekend”, Cruden said.
All Blacks Ignoring The Outside Talk Before First Test
With a relatively poor season of Super Rugby with the Hurricanes so far in 2016, Julian Savea goes under the spotlight of his coaches on the left wing this weekend, and Hansen says that the wingers’ message has been clear at training this week. “He knows that he is overdue to put in a bit for the team and I am expecting him to play well”, before claiming that fans will see the ‘Julian Savea of old’ on Saturday night. The squad is ignoring the outside talk over the extended build-up which men like Savea, Cruden and skipper Read will all benefit hugely from.
The All Blacks have a final ‘Captains Run’ at Eden Park tomorrow afternoon, before the 2016 Steinlager Series begins on Saturday night, 7:35pm NZT.
“Main photo credit”
